Manchester: Mother and baby trapped in ‘terrifying’ flood

Ms Dey-Morgan said her husband had set out to buy food for a New Year’s Day lunch on the morning of the flood but was unable to get back in because of the rising water.

“I was with kids, we had no idea what was happening outside, and then he called and said there was lots of water in the garage.

“We didn’t expect a massive flood,” she said.

With the mains shut off, Ms Dey-Morgan began to panic that she had no other source of water for the baby.

She called 999 and firefighters took her and her children out of the building in a boat.

“The electricity meter is destroyed, there is no water, we were very lucky that we were on the top floor,” she said.

“What is concerning is why the authorities were not ready for this situation,” Ms Dey-Morgan said.

“I understand natural disasters can happen, but knowing the river is half a mile away, I think there could be much more precautions.”

The BBC has approached the building’s property management company for comment.